A military plane has crashed at the Kaduna international airport killing Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, his wife and some aides
The Beachcraft 350 aircraft, had 12 people on board, including top military officers and crew members.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 6 pm local time amid heavy rain.
The plane was said to have crash-landed on the runway, with the eight people on board feared dead.
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, Akin Olateru, confirmed that the eight people onboard died.
He did not give details, but it is being feared that the chief of army staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, who was on board, also died. He was said to be on official trip to Kaduna.
“Beachcraft 350. 8 souls on board. Unfortunately all dead,” Olateru wrote in a WhatsApp note.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the incident later in a statement issued.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the incident occurred near the Kaduna International Airport.
“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon,” he said.
Mr Attahiru was recently appointment the Chief of Army Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari.
His appointment had shocked many Nigerians, due to the fact he was sacked in 2017 as the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole in the Northeast for alleged incompetence.
Until his appointment in January, he was the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.
With service number 8406, he was a member of Regular Course 35 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Details later